School's Out!

We found this great idea in Family Fun to decorate the van for the last day of school. Emily helped me fill the van with balloons and crepe paper and then write on the outside windows.

Our carpool was so surprised when we picked them up and had the van decked out. Megan was so embarrassed. She asked me to drive as fast as possible out of the parking lot. Well that meant I actually drove as really slowly past everyone.
The carpool enjoying their balloons.

We left the school parking lot and headed to drive through other parking lots much to Megan's dismay. We then celebrated with Snowies and big smiles.

Classic Summer Fun!

We know summer is officially upon us when we can go to the waterslides again. There's no better day than sliding with friends. My favorite part is that I can sit and watch them and not always have to get in the water.

Megan looks really cold in this picture. It really wasn't that bad.

Emily enjoys just watching everyone come down the slides. She is a fair weather slider and told me she would go next time if I do.

Dreams Do Come True!

Emily has wanted to take ballet for over a year now. It is her dream to be a ballet teacher---she settled for that since I told her she couldn't be a rodeo queen due to Wendell's allergies.

Well we finally enrolled her in a summer class at the studio near our house. She went for the first time last week and absolutely loved it. It was so funny that anyone she talked to she told that she was going to have her ballet recital in a few days and couldn't wait. She came home and practiced all of the ballet positions so she could earn a sucker at the next class. She takes it so serious and can't wait for the real recital in August.

What Time is it?

It must be summertime. We always start the summer off with the Drive-In. What could be better than tons of food, lots of blankets, stacks of chairs, and good company? We went on the opening day of Night at the Museum and had to get there extra early to get a spot. With so much time on our hands we ate dinner, made multiple trips to the restroom, and watched the kids play football. I don't think any of us even care what movie we see, we just all enjoy the outdoor experience. I hope it is a tradition we can continue for a long time---even if we do get home at 1:30 am.



Summer also means water and the sandbox getting well used. After school on Friday, the kids decided it was "so hot" they needed to turn on the sprinklers and run through them. Well of course that just resulted in the sandbox becoming a mud pit. Tyler and Jordan rolled around in the wet sand until they were covered. Emily and Megan stayed far away from the mud and spent more time parading in their swimsuits. I guess boys will definitely be boys. Emily likes to sing that summer is the "time of their lives." To kids I couldn't agree more. Bring on the fun.

From Wolves to Bears!

Tyler was able to earn his Wolf badge at Pack meeting along with his religious knot and 5 arrows. This was the most he has ever gotten in one meeting. I think I pushed him along a little knowing that he turns 9 in June and only had a couple more weeks as a wolf.





The pack master had Tyler and his other 2 wolves do a skit in which they pretended to fight a bear. They even had war wounds to prove that they are ready for the bear den.












Tyler was pretty excited to pin the wolf pin on me. He didn't even poke me.

Tyler with his pack master and awards from the night. Way to Go Tyler!

Pre-School Graduation!

Emily was so excited for pre-school to start in September that it doesn't seem possible it is already over. Emily told me she was so sad that she is graduating she felt like crying. Her graduation was held in the library on the 16th and was lively enough to keep us all awake.

The classes had learned songs and dances to perform for all of us. Emily took her dancing very serious. They danced to everything from High School Musical to Hickory Dickory Dock. They danced with about anything that can be shaken or hit. Our favorite move was when all the kids were trying to do the "sprinkler" dance move. It took all of us a few minutes to figure out what they were even doing.

She definitely knows how to swing her hips. During this song her sunglasses fell off and she slid them under her chair just like her teacher told her. She has absolutely loved her teacher and does anything she says.

The ceremony was quite official with Pomp and Circumstance playing in the background and caps placed on each student's head.

This is Emily's teacher. Tyler and Megan also went to this preschool and absolutely loved Teacher Vicki.

Each graduate told Teacher Vickie some of their favorite things and then each was read during the graduation. This was Emily's official graduation accomplishments. Most of the kids said they wanted to be Wal-Mart workers. So many in fact, that many asked if the graduation was sponsored by Wal-Mart. Such is the life of a pre-schooler.

Now a new chapter begins in Emily's life. Three days after graduation, Emily headed to Kindgergarten round-up. I hope her excitement for learning and school continues. Way to go Emily!

Megan's Hair

Megan had worn her hair in a very tight bun last Saturday and was so happy when she took it out to see her hair so "poofy." She insisted we take a picture of it and then more insistent that I actually post it.

It reminds me of perms in high school and how hard I worked to make my hair "poofy." Let's hope this style doesn't catch on again.